Composition rim for ophthalmic mountings



r V 1,637,029 1927' E. L. SCHUMACHER COMPOSITION RIM FOR OPHTHALMIC MOUNTINGS Original Filed Jan. 24. 1925 grwenfoz 6 V I 4% ,6 (Elmer bschumacher.

Patented July 26, 1927.

1,637,029 UNITED STATES, PATENT OFFICE.

ELMER I. SCHUMACHER, F SOUIHBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T0 AMERI- CAN OPTICAL COMPANY, OF SOUTHBRIIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, VOLUNTARY AS- SOCIATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

This invention relates to composition rims for ophthalmic lenses, and has asan object to improve generally and render more economical the process for the production of the same.

The present application is a division of my co-pending application, Serial Number 4,526, filed January 24, 1925. 7

An important object of this invention is to utilize the material usually wasted in the stamping or cutting of composition ophthalmic frames from sheets of the composition material, by forming from this waste material rims. for that type of ophthalmic frame constructed of part metal and part composition material.

Another important object of this invention is to produce a composition rim in such a manner that the inherent peculiarity of this composition material to return to its original shape under usual atmospheric conditions shall be an important factor in the clamping of the rim on the finished frame.

Still another important object of this invention is the provision of a process for the production shall further require little change in the equipment of shops producing this type of rim, to operate under this process.

Numerous other objects, details, of the process, and obvious advantages of this invention will become apparent during the course of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which I have used like numerals to designate corresponding parts throughout all views of the same, and in which;

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a composition frame, shown in relation to the sheet stock from which it is out. and clearly illus trating the material usually wasted in this process,

Figure 2 is a front elevation of a center cut from the front of a composition frame produced as shown in Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a similar view of a fiat spiral strip of the composition material, the same being formed from the center illustrated in Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a front elevation of the strip shown in Figure 3 expanded into 'substan tially the shape of a rim,

of composition rims, which- COMPOSITION RIM. FOR OPHTHALMIC MOUD'ITINGS. Original application filed January 24, 1925, Serial No. 4,526.

1925; Serial No. 33,437.

Divided and this application filed May 28,

Figure 5 strcilicted in accordance with my invention, an

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional View taken on line 6-6 of Figure .5.

Although my improved process for the production of composition ophthalmic rims could be applied equally well to composi tion material of any kind, it is particularly applicable and includes many distinct ad vantages when used with that kind of composition material known demiamber or mottled stock. amber stock, to which I refer, is a mottled zyl which is in great demand for use in frames at the present time, due to its similarity to the much tortoise-shell.

The use of demi-amber, however, in ophthalmic frames has always presented numerous difficulties due to the fact that it cannot be molded because of its mottled struc ture. WVhile practically all other composi tion material may be formed mass and subsequently molded by any preferred means into the shape desired, 'demiamber can only be obtained either in flat sheets or long relatively thin strips, in one of which forms it must be used.

Prior to my invention, therefore, it has been customary, in so far as I am aware, to form clen1i+amber rims by one of two general processes. esses employs the sheet stock, and. comprises stamping or otherwise cutting therefrom rings of the desired diameter to form rims of the desired size. Though this process is comparatively simple, and is in use in a great many shops at the present time, it is extremely wasteful, in that the centers cut from these rings, together with a large part of the outer edge of the sheet of material has to be thrown away as scrap.

The other process, sometimes used, employs a long strip of demi-amber, and consisted in spirally winding this long strip upon a heated mandrel, and subsequently cutting the coil thus formed to produce a plurality of rims. As before stated, however, 'zyl has the inherent peculiarity of returning to its original shape, when exposed to the ordinary atmosphericconditions, so

This demiis a front elevation of an ophthalmic frame, equipped with a rim con-- to the trade as r desired but expensive I into a plastic The first of these procsubstantially circular lay that the rims thus formed are constantly under strain. to straighten out and form straight flat sections or strips.

Considering then these disadvantages of the two most used'processes for forming demi-amber rims, invent-ion lmcomes particularly advantageoi'is in that it overcomes these difficulties and renders more efficient the process for-the production of these rims. h'iy invention not only (IOlllLQIIlPlillLQS the Millzation of a large amount of the waste ma terial obtained in the production of all zyl frames, but also contemplates the provision of a rim, which, under the strain of its tendency to return to its original shape, 'will clamp more tightly the ophthaln'iic lens or rim which it. encircles. i r

v Referring now then particularly to the drawing, wherein I have illustrated'tlie preferred embodiment of my process,"the' numeral 1O designates asheet of demi-amber in the form in which it is customary for manufacturers to purchase the same This sheet is substantially thin in cross section, being usually of a thickness approximately equal to that desired in the finished frame, such that it is possiblefor a manufacturer to out on this sheet, clearly illustrated in Figure 1, the general outline of a frame and to stamp the frame therefrom.

As also illustrated in the drawing, the blank thus formed comprises the fronts 11, the bridge 12,.and the temple mounts, 13. The next step in-this process, which incidentally is the process most generally used by the manufacturer for the production of frames of this type, is to cut from the fronts of the blank thus formed, the centers 14:, which. prior to my invention, have been thrown away as waste material. In accordance with my process, I proceed to utilize the centers ll by laying out tl'iereon, clearly shown in Figure 2 of the drawing, by the dotted line, the outline of a spiral strip, which I have designated by the numeral 15. In- Figure 3 of the drawing, I have shown this p 15 as cut from the center 141;. and it to be understood that although I find it preferable to accomplish this step by a stamping process, any form of cutting means may be used in so far as there is produced a flat spiral strip of the material, as shown in the figure.

Figure l of the drawing clearly illustrates the next step of my process in which I straighten out the spiral strip 15 to form a split ring, capable of encircling a lens. This ring now follows the general process for producing rims of this type, by being-finished on its outer periphery to present a pleasing appearance tothe eye, and being internally grooved in order that it might be clamped about either a lens or a metal rim.

InFigure 5 or the drawing, I have shown the preferred type of frame on which I use the rims constr cted in accordance with my invention. This frame comprises the metallic eyewircs 16, joined by means of a metallic bridge 17, and beini further provided with laterally projecting clamping cars 18, to which are mounted the i'i'ietallic temples 19.

Composition rims when used in conjunction with metallic frames of this character, fform a casing or covering for the eyewire l6, and may be most efficiently clamped thereon by subjecting thecyewires when surrounded by the demi-amber rims, 'to a moderate degree of heat. Theheat tends to return the deiniamber rim, more rapidly to itsyoriginal shape, thus quickly and firmly clamping the same on the metallic eyewires; Although I have shown the rim produced in accordance with my invention as applied to this type of ophthalmic frame, wherein its main purpose is to form a covering for the metallic eyewires, it is to be understood that the rims may be used equally well without the metallic eyewires. When used without the eyewires, the rims form a part of the well known frames constructed with composition rims, a metallic bridge, and metallic temples. i

It is clearly apparent that regardless of how I use my rims, whether it be to encircle a metalliceyewire, or a lens proper, it will always tightly clamp the same due to its inherent tendency to return to its original, and in this case, flat spiral shape.

From the foregoing description therefore, it will be seen that I have produced a demiamber orcomposition rim which may be formed from the material usually wasted in the'manufacturo of composition frames. It willfurther be seen that I have produced a process which is not only exceedingly economical, but also of such simplicity and of such similarity to the processes in use today that it may easily be installed in the average manufacturing plant without the building or purchasing'of expensive extra equipment. Despite the simplicity and economy of my process, it is obvious that the same over comes two of the main difliculties present in the processes generally in use today, and accomplishes a result long desired.

It is to be expected that in the practical. application of my process in industrial plants many changes from the specific details disclosed herein will readily suggest themselves, so that I reserve the right to make certain minor departures and variations from the details of this specification and drawing, in so far as I remain within the spirit of my invention, and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is" I 1. A blank for a composition lens rim for an ophthalmic mounting comprising a cirr Hit) culai' disc of flat composition stock having a central opening and a marginal opening between its end portions, the portion surround ing the openings being in the form of a spiral strip having its end portions substantially concentric.

2. A blank for a composition lens run for an ophthalmic mounting comprising a disc of fiat composition stock having a central opening and a marginal opening between its end portions the portion surrounding the openings being in the form of a spiral strip having its end portions substantially concentric.

ELMER L. SCHUMAOHER. 

